Colossal Magmapede

"If there’s anything I’ve learned in my life, it’s to run for it when a Magmapede bursts from the ground."
—Agatha Ruthiel, veteran explorer

The Colossal Magmapede, often referred to simply as the Magmapede, is a gigantic arthropod found only in the most volcanic regions of Haven. Known for its massive size and habit of constructing massive underground tunnel networks, the Colossal Magmapede is a true force of nature. Most who have encountered the Magmapede simply flee in terror, not willing to take their chances against this behemoth.

Characteristics

Appearance

The Magmapede is more akin to a walking volcano than any living animal. Its head alone is larger than most peasant huts, with huge, glowing eyes and massive jaws that it uses to chew its way through solid rock. Its body is divided into multiple segments, each one having four legs. Its legs end in sharp points, giving it an excellent grip on most surfaces.

The Magmapede’s entire body is covered in a tough, stone-like exoskeleton, protecting its glowing hot interior. This exoskeleton lets the Magmapede shrug off almost any attack, being hardened to the point where even heavy artillery barely even scratches it. When the Magmapede needs to shed its exoskeleton, it bursts out through the top, scurrying underground as fast as possible. There it will wait until its new exoskeleton hardens, laying still for weeks at a time. It is during this time that the Magmapede is truly vulnerable, though any would-be attackers would still have to contend with the beast’s great strength and excessive heat.

Biology

The Magmapede’s body is incredibly hot, hot enough to the point that just being near it means risking collapsing from heat stroke. Its blood has a similar temperature and consistency to that of molten lava, looking similar enough to the point that most can’t tell the difference. The Magmapede also keeps some of its blood in a special organ near its mouth, spitting it out at great distances at anything that it deems to be a threat.

Due to its massive size, the Magmapede requires great amounts of food to survive. It feeds on minerals, tunneling underground in search of deposits to feed on. It can also be seen filtering minerals from lava streams on the surface. As the Magmapede ages, these minerals build up inside its body, turning it into a veritable treasure trove. The oldest Magmapedes are said to contain enough gemstones and precious metals within their bodies to finance the construction of a dozen castles.

Magmapedes mate once every few decades, with the females laying hundreds of eggs per clutch. These eggs are hidden deep underground in special chambers carved out by the females. After around a few years, the eggs hatch, with the Magmapedes racing to be the first ones out of their eggs. Those who are too slow to hatch usually end up getting eaten by their stronger siblings, ensuring that the strongest offspring survive. Infant Magmapedes are almost never seen on the surface as they have yet to develop their signature protective shell, hiding deep below ground to avoid being preyed upon by larger creatures. Several years later, these young Magmapedes will emerge from their hiding places, their exoskeletons fully hardened.

Behavior

Despite their massive size, Magmapedes are surprisingly docile, thanks in no small part to their lack of natural predators. Indeed, smaller creatures are sometimes seen riding upon the Magmapede’s back, hiding in between the cracks of its armor. Some of these creatures have even formed a symbiotic relationship with the Magmapede, cleaning its carapace of any parasites while receiving some protection in return. They are even known to inhabit any discarded exoskeletons the Magmapede leaves behind.

Magmapedes are solitary creatures, only coming together to either mate or to fight one another. They live in caves deep underground, ones that they excavate themselves using their powerful mandibles. These caves are the nexus of a massive network of tunnels that the Magmapede uses to easily bypass even the harshest terrain. These tunnels often stretch for miles, sometimes intersecting with other tunnels, creating a massive underground maze. Many a would-be Magmapede hunter has gotten lost in these labyrinthine depths, never to see the light of day again.

While Magmapedes rarely leave the volcanic slopes and plains they call home, natural disasters such as earthquakes or particularly massive eruptions are known to force them to temporarily relocate. This tends to be a problem for anything living near these areas, as Magmapedes are capable of causing immense destruction simply by existing. For example, should a Magmapede wander into a heavily forested area, it would inevitably end up causing a massive wildfire. They are even known to burst into mines in search of minerals to feed on, forcing those inside to either flee or somehow drive the Magmapede away.

Magmapede Hunting

Due to the riches that can be obtained from killing just one Magmapede, many often form hunting parties to try and bring the beasts down. These groups typically consist of some of the most elite trackers and hunters around, people who have been taking down dangerous animals for ages. When tracking a Magmapede, these hunters wear special suits of armor that have been enchanted to withstand the creature’s heat, tracking its movements and making sure to watch for signs of shedding. When a potential target has been sighted, the hunters lie in wait until the Magmapede begins shedding, preparing their weapons.

Once the Magmapede has finally shed its exoskeleton, the hunters launch their assault, seeking to bring down the Magmapede before it can flee. This is no easy task, as even without its protective shell, the Magmapede is still a very dangerous foe. Should the hunters successfully take down the Magmapede, then they will often find a bounty of riches within its body, enough to make all of them set for life.

Notable Individuals

TBA